Illuminated guitar



June 13, 1967 L. L. CANONICO ILLUMINATED GUITAR 4 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed July 15, 1965 June 13, 1967 L. L. CANONICO ILLUMINATED GUITAR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 15, 1965 INVENTOR Louis 160/? Ccmom'ca June 13, 1967 CANONICO ILLUMINATED GUITAR 4 Sheets-Sheet :3

Filed July 15 m 0 m m w C d. H 1 M w w w w 8 ow 0% E 7 A in Q. N g 2 N x June 13, 1967 L. L. CANONICO I ILLUMINATED GUITAR 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Filed July 15 1965 INVENTOR It I Louis Leo/7 C anom'co United States Patent 3,324,755 LLUMINATED GUITAR Louis Leon Canonico, Bronx, N.Y., assignor of thirtythree and one-third percent to Michael Nicita, Kendall Park, NJ.

Filed July 15, 1965, Ser. No. 472,126 14 Claims. (Cl. 84-267) This invention concerns an illuminated guitar.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a guitar having an illuminated neck and other parts so that when the guitar is played in a dim light it will present a spectacular display. According to the invention, the guitar has a neck made of transparent plastic material such as methyl methacryalate. The bridge of the guitar and a portion of the body under the strings are also formed of the same material. Lamps in the hollow body of the guitar illuminate the plastic parts. The lamps may emit colored light or the illuminated plastic parts can be made of colored plastic. The guitar can be arranged so that the lights flicker 'while the guitar is being played to provide novel visual effects.

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a guitar with transparent plastic parts which glow when illuminated to provide a spectacular optical display.

Another object is to provide a guitar in which lamps illuminating transparent plastic parts of the guitar are disposed inside the hollow body of the guitar and controlled by switches outside the guitar.

Still another object is to provide a guitar with illuminated plastic parts illuminated by lamps which flicker when the guitar is being played.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawlugs and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of .an electric guitar embodying the invention, shown with an associated amplifier.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of an electric guitar on an enlarged scale taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a reduced perspective view of a bottom cover plate of the guitar.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an electric circuit employed in the guitar of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of another electric circuit which may be employed in the guitar of FIGS. l-5.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing another guitar construction.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view on a reduced scale of parts of the guitar of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fret and associated components employed in the guitar of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an electric circuit employed in the guitar of FIG. 8.

The guitar 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5 has a flat opaque hollow body 11 with a top wall 12, peripheral wall 13 and open bottom closed by a reflector plate 14. An elongated neck extends outwardly of one end of body 11. The body 11 including plate 14 is made of opaque material. The neck 15 is made of transparent plastic material, particularly an acrylic such as methyl methacrylate which has the property of glowing peripherally when illuminated, internally. As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the attached "ice end 15 of the neck is exposed to the interior of the bod 11. Secured to the underside of the upper'wall 12 of bod 11 are brackets 20 which support three lamps 21. Th end 15 of neck 15 is exposed to the lamps so that who the lamps are lighted, light therefrom will enter th neck along optical path P1 and will travel internal] therethrough. The entire periphery of the neck includin top, bottom and sides including scroll end 15" will ligl up to produce a striking optical spectacle when viewed i a dim ambient light. Neck 15 is held by a screw 23 i1 serted through end 15' of the neck and inserted in tenon 27 at the rear end of the body engaged in a groo\ 29 in the end of the neck.

In the wall 12 of body 11 is an opening 24 in Whit is fitted a transparent plastic lens or window 25. Th window is also made of an acrylic plastic. The window open at its bottom to the interior of the hollow bod The bottom of the window is exposed to the light i lamps 21 both directly and by reflected light; see FIG 2, 3. Light is reflected in path P2 from the highly p( ished upper surface S of cover plate 14 which clos the open bottom of body 11. The cover plate is remo ably secured to the bottom edge of wall 13 by screws 2 In upper wall 12 is a long aperture 30 in which fitted the flat bottom of wedge shaped bridge 32. Tl bridge is also made of acrylic plastic. The bottom end the bridge is exposed to the interior of the body 12. opposite ends of the bridge inside the body 11 are t\ lamps 34 supported by brackets 36 attached to the und side of Wall 12. These lamps illuminate the bridge acause it to glow peripherally at all exposed sides on t of the guitar. The strings 38 of the guitar extend frc pegs 39 at neck end 15" over bridge 32 to tail piece 4 which is held by pin 41 in wall 13. Frets 43 are set neck 15.

The three lamps 21 are connected via wires in circ' with three manually operable control switches 42 local at one corner of the upper wall 12. Lamps 34 are cc nected via wires in circuit with a switch 44 located at o lateral edge of wall 12. A jack 45 is provided near swit 44 into which a plug 46 can be inserted for applying ell tric power to the lamps. The jack 45 is connected in c cuit with the lamps 21 and 34.

Between the bridge and window 25 is a first mic phone 48. A second microphone 50 is located betwt window 25 and the adjacent end of neck 15.

A jack 52 on wall 12 and a switch 53 are connec in circuit with the microphones. Jack 52 may receivt plug 54- connected via a cable 56 and plug 57 to jack in an amplifier housing 60. Plug 46 is connected tt cable 62 which terminates in a plug 63. The plug can inserted in a jack 64 connected to a power transforr in the amplifier housing. The arrangement of the elec circuit C1 employed in the guitar 10 is shown in FIG to which reference is now made.

In circuit C1, there is provided a stepdown po transformer 70 having a primary winding 71 to whicl connec-ted power supply cable 72 terminating in a p 75; see also FIG. 1. Plug 75 can be inserted into suitable -volts alternating current power supply. transformer has a low voltage secondary winding 7t which is connected jack 64. Switch 44 is connected series circuit with both parallel interconnected lamps and jack 45. Plug 46, inserted in this jack, is connei in circuit with the transformer secondary winding cable 62, plug 63 and jack 64. Switches 42 are connet in series with the lamps 21 respectively for turning e lamp individually on and off. The switches 42 and la. 21 are connected in parallel with lamps 34 to the minals of secondary winding 76 via the cable 62 associated plugs and jacks.

The secondary winding 76 is also connected to amplier 60'. A loudspeaker 77 mounted in housing 60 is )nnected to the output of the amplifier. To the input of re amplifier is connected parallel connected microhones 48, 50 via control switch 53, plugs 54, 57 and cable 5.

From an inspection of circuit C1 it will be apparent .at the illumination of bridge 32 by lamps 34 can be rned off and on by operating switch 44. The illumina- 311 of the window and neck by lamps 21 can be rned off and on by operating switches 42. The number lamps 21 illuminated at any one time can be varied I turning on or off one or more switches 42. As a result varying spectacular optical display is provided when the litar is viewed in ambient light of reduced intensity. FIG. 7 shows another circuit C2 which is similar to rcuit C1 and corresponding parts are identically numred. In this circuit a relay 80 having a coil 81 and norally open contacts 82, 83 is provided. The coil 81 is nnected across the output of amplifier 60. The contacts 1, 83 are connected between one terminal of jack 64 d one terminal of secondary winding 76. A normally ten manually operable switch 85 is connected across con- :ts 82, 83 to shunt them when required. Circuit C2 is arranged so that the lamps 21 and 34 ll normally be extinguished even though switches 42 d 44 are closed. However, when the guitar is being iyed microphones 48, pick up the sounds and trans- :e them into audio frequency electrical pulses which are plied to the amplifier These pulses are applied to ldspeaker 77 and to the relay coil 81 via a rectifier 84. tch time an electrical pulse of predetermined amplitude applied to the relay coil it closes contacts 82, 83 and the ups 21 and 34 light up depending on which of switches and 44 are close-d. This provides a most interesting and ectacular flickering light display. If switch 85 is closed a relay contacts are shunted and deactivated in the cirit. Then the switches 42 and 44 can be operated manuy to control the light of the lamps in the same way as pla-ined in connection with circuit C1. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 show another guitar 10a in which parts rresponding to those of guitar 10 are identically number'- The metal base or back cover plate 14a is provided th a metal plate extension secured by a screw 92 to a rear end 93 of plate 14a. Plate 90 has holes 91. It is rmanently afiixed to the underside of the neck by peeng the bottom ends 95 of metal pins 96 secured to transrse frets 43a. Pin ends 95 are seated in countersunk holes The strings 38a are made of metal music wire and are :ur'ed to metal tail piece 40. A lug 98 and wire 99 are enged with pin 41 andtail piece 40. Another lug 100 and re 102 are engaged with screw 103 at cover plate 14a. .e wires 99 and 102 are connected in circuit C3 shown FIG. 11. Parts of circuit C3 corresponding to those of cuits C1 and C2 areidentically numbered and have the ne functions. The strings 38a are normally spaced from the frets z and are pressed down thereon when the guitar is iyed as illustrated in FIG. 9. It will be noted in FIG. 11 til the strings 38:: are all connected electrically together tail piece 40 and wire 99 to contacts 42 of switches A manually operable switch is connected between re 99 and wire 102. Wire 102 is connected electrically all frets 43a. Wire 102 terminates at one terminal of transformer secondary 76 of power transformer 70. itch 44 is connected in series with lamps 34. Switches are connected in series with the lamps 21 respectively. e microphones 48, 50 are connected to the input of plifier 60' and loudspeaker 77 is connected to the out- 1 of the amplifier as in circuits C1 and C2. in operation of circuit C3, when switches 42 and 44 closed the lamps 21 and 34 will remain unlighted belse the power supply circuit of the lamps is open across frets and strings. When any string is pressed down to ltact any fret, the power supply circuit of the lamps will be closed and the lamps will light unless their switches 42 or 44 are open. Thus as the guitar is played the light of the lamps will flicker and a flickering spectacular, interesting, optical display will be provided at bridge 32, window 25 and along the entire length of neck 15. If switch 110 is closed, the strings and frets will be shunted and deactivated on the circuit which will then operate like circuit C1. The lamps will remain lighted when the switches 42 and 44 are closed.

Although a particular arrangement of luminous plastic parts has been shown, it will be apparent that other openings can be provided in the body 11 for receiving other windows of different sizes and shapes. Instead of an electric guitar, the invention is applicable to other types of guitars and to other musical instruments.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside the body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck.

2. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the 'body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic bridge secured in said opening and having a portion exposed to the interior of said body, another lamp mounted inside said body at said bridge for illuminating the same to cause the bridge to glow, when said other lamp is lighted, and other wires connected to said other lamp for supplying the same with electric current.

3. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic bridge secured in said opening and having a portion exposed to the interior of said body, another lamp mounted inside said body at said bridge for illuminating the same to cause the bridge to glow, when said other lamp is lighted, and other wires connected to said other lamp for supplying the same with electric current, said one wall having another opening therein, and a transparent plastic window disposed in said other opening, said window having a portion exposed to theinterior of the said body and to said one lamp so that said window glows when said one lamp is lighted.

4. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic bridge secured in said opening and having a portion exposed to the interior of said body, another lamp mounted inside said body at said bridge for illuminating the same to cause the bridge to glow, when said other lamp is lighted, and other wires connected to said other lamp for supplying the same with electric current, said one wall having another opening therein, and a transparent plastic window disposed in said other opening, said window having a portion exposed to the interior of the said body and to said one lamp so that said window glows when said one lamp is lighted, and switches mounted on said body and connected in circuit with the lamps for selectively turning the lamps on and off when the switches are operated.

5. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passesthrough said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic window disposed on said opening, said window having a portion exposed to the interior of said body and to sa1d lamp so that said window glows when said lamp is lighted.

6. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interlor of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic WlIldow disposed on said opening, said window having a portion exposedto the interior of said body and to said lamp so that said window glows when said lamp is lighted, and a switch mounted on said body and connected in circuit with said lamp for turning the lamp on and off when the switch is operated.

7. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted 1nside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, strings supported at opposite ends thereof on said body and said neck respectively, at least one microphone mounted on said body adjacent to said strings for picking up sounds ennttedtherefrom when the strings are plucked, an amplifier having 1nput and output terminals, said microphone being connected to said input, a relay having a coil connected to the output terminals of the amplifier, said relay having contacts operated by said coil and connected in circuit with said lamps, whereby the light of said lamps flickers when the strings are plucked.

8. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic window disposed on said opening, said window having a portic exposed to the interior of said body and to said lamp 5 that said window glows when said lamp is lighted, sai body having a removable back wall with a highly refiet tive surface to reflect light from said lamp to the windo and neck to intensify the glow thereof.

9. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted ir side said body, wires connected to the lamp for supply ing electric current thereto, a neck made of transparer plastic material connected to an end of said body, sai neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior c the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby sai neck glows over its entire outside surface when ligl' from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, on of said walls having an opening therein, a transparer plastic bridge secured in said opening and having a p01 tion exposed to the interior of said body, another lam mounted inside said body at said bridge for illuminatin the same to cause the bridge to glow, when said othe lamp is lighted, and other wires connected to said othe lamp for supplying the same with electric current, sai one wall having another opening therein, and a trans parent plastic window disposed in said other opening said window having a portion exposed to the interior 0 the said body and to said one lamp so that said window glows when said one lamp is lighted, said body havin; a removable back wall with a highly reflective surface t1 reflect light from the lamps to said bridge, window ant neck to intensify the glow thereof when the lamps an lighted.

10. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined b1 a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounte inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supply ing electric current thereto, a neck made of transparen plastic material connected to an end of said body, Salt neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior 0 the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby sai neck glows over its entire outside surface when ligh from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, onr of said walls having an opening therein, a transparen plastic bridge secured in said opening and having a por tion exposed to the interior of said body, another lam; mounted inside said body at said bridge for illuminating the same to cause the bridge to glow, when said othe] lamp is lighted, and other wires connected to said othe: lamp for supplying the same with electric current, anc switches mounted on said body and connected in circuit with the lamps for selectively turning the lamps on and off when the switches are operated.

11. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current thereto, a neck made of trans parent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when li ht from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, metal strings supported at opposite ends thereof on said body and said neck, a metal tail piece engaged with one one end of said strings on said body, said body having a removable metal back wall, a metal plate defining an extension of said back wall extending along one side of said neck, metal frets on the other side of said neck extending transversely thereof underneath the strings, metal pins connecting said frets respectively with said metal plate, a power supply, said wires being connected in circuit with said power supply, and other wires connecting said tail piece and said back wall in circuit with said power supply, whereby said lamp is normally extinguished and is lighted when any one of said strings is pressed down on the neck to contact any one of the frets.

12. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted side said body, wires connected to the lamp for supying electric current thereto, a neck made of trans trent plastic material connected to an end of said body, id neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior f the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby id neck glows over its entire outside surface when light om said lamp passes through said end of the neck, etal strings supported at opposite ends thereof on said My and said neck, a metal tail piece engaged with one 1d of said strings on said body, said body having a re- .ovable metal back wall, a metal plate defining an exnsion of said back wall, extending along one side of lid neck, metal frets on the other side of said neck ex- :nding transversely thereof underneath the strings, metal ins connecting said frets respectively with said metal late, a power supply, said wires being connected in ciruit with said power supply, and other wires connecting rid tail piece and said back wall in circuit with said ower supply, whereby said lamp is normally extinuished and is lighted when any one of said strings is ressed down on the neck to contact any one of the frets, manually operable switch connected in parallel with aid frets and strings for deactivating said frets and trings in said power supply circuit, and other switches onnected in circuit with said lamps for selectively turnng the lamps on and off when the first named switch is losed, and for selectively keeping the lamps turned off vhen said first switch is open to permit the lamps to lick while the strings are played.

13. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by I. plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted nside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplyng electric current thereto, a neck made of transparent )lastic material connected to an end of said body, said ieck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic window disposed on said opening, said window having a portion exposed to the interior of said body and to said lamp so that said window glows when said lamp is lighted, and a switch mounted on said body and connected in circuit with said lamp for turning the lamp on and off when the switch is operated, strings supported at opposite ends thereof on said body and said neck respectively, at least one microphone mounted on said body adjacent to said strings for picking up sounds emitted therefrom when the strings are plucked, an amplifier having input and output terminals, said microphone being connected to said input, a relay having a coil connected to the output terminals of the amplifier, said relay having contacts operated by said coil and connected in circuit with said lamps, whereby the light of said lamps flickers when the strings are plucked.

14. A guitar having a closed hollow body defined by a plurality of opaque walls, at least one lamp mounted inside said body, wires connected to the lamp for supplying electric current hereto, a neck made of transparent plastic material connected to an end of said body, said neck having an end thereof exposed to the interior of the body for receiving light from said lamp whereby said neck glows over its entire outside surface when light from said lamp passes through said end of the neck, one of said walls having an opening therein, a transparent plastic window disposed on said opening, said window having a portion exposed to the interior of said body and to said lamp so that said window glows when said lamp is lighted, and a switch mounted on said body and connected in circuit with said lamp for turning the lamp on and off when the switch is operated, metal strings supported at opposite ends thereof on said body and said neck, a metal tail piece engaged with one end of said strings on said body, said body having a removable metal back wall, a metal plate defining an extension of said back wall extending along one side of said neck, metal frets on the other side of said neck extending transversely thereof underneath the strings, metal pins connecting said frets respectively with said metal plate, a power supply, said wires being connected in circuit with said power supply, and other wires connecting said tail piece and said back wall in circuit with said power supply, whereby said lamp is normally extinguished and is lighted when any one of said strings is pressed down on the neck to contact any one of the frets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,919,294 7/1933 Galizi 84376 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. CHARLES M. OVERBEY,-Assistant Examiner. 

1. A GUITAR HAVING A CLOSED HOLLOW BODY DEFINING BY A PLURALITY OF OPAQUE WALLS, AT LEAST ONE LAMP MOUNTED INSIDE THE BODY, WIRES CONNECTED TO THE LAMP FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC CURRENT THERETO, A NECK MADE OF TRANSPARENT PLASTIC MATERIAL CONNECTED TO AN END OF SAID BODY, SAID NECK HAVING AN END THEREOF EXPOSED TO THE INTERIOR OF THE BODY FOR RECEIVING LIGHT FROM SAID LAMP WHEREBY SAID NECK GLOWS OVER ITS ENTIRE OUTSIDE SURFACE WHEN LIGHT FROM SAID LAMP PASSES THROUGH SAID END OF THE NECK. 